Organisations Supporting Literary Exchange

A list of organisations supporting literary exchange across Europe and beyond

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Commonwealth Writers

Commonwealth Writers is the cultural initiative of the Commonwealth Foundation. It  inspires, develops and connects writers and storytellers in a range of disciplines. It builds communities of less-heard voices and links them to groups which seek to bring about social change. Commonwealth Writers runs projects throughout the Commonwealth. Their website provides a number of useful opportunities and resources.

The Commonwealth Short Story Prize identifies talented writers who will go on to inspire their local communities.  The Prize unearths and promotes the best new writing from across the Commonwealth, developing literary connections worldwide.

The Short Story Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000-5000 words). Authors writing in languages other than English are also able to enter stories translated into English.

Danish Arts Foundation

The Danish Arts Foundation’s Committee for Literature runs a number of international funding programmes. These funding programmes are intended for publishers, translators, foreign institutions and authors seeking funding for trips or translation of work in connection with specific literary projects. More information can be found here.

Books from Denmark gives you an overview of current Danish titles selected by the foundation, which are intended for the international book market. Find out more here.

www.danishliterature.info/

English PEN

English PEN is the founding centre of PEN International, the worldwide fellowship of writers promoting free expression. Through its campaigns and programmes, English PEN promotes the freedom to write and the freedom to read. Internationally, English PEN campaigns on behalf of persecuted writers, editors and publishers. In the UK, it campaigns to reform laws that curb free expression, and for greater access to literature. It runs a number of programmes for creative writing and translation and a busy events programme. http://www.englishpen.org

Grants from English PEN
PEN Promotes 
(formerly known as Writers in Translation) has been promoting literature in translation since 2005 and is supported by Bloomberg. Each year, a dedicated committee of professionals selects between 8-10 books that are translated into English from a wide variety of foreign languages. English PEN awards grants to UK publishers to help promote, market and champion these titles. Its aim is to celebrate books of outstanding literary value, which show a dedication to free speech and intercultural understanding, and therefore have a clear link to the PEN charter.

PEN Translates! is English PEN’s new grants scheme for translation. Launched in 2012 at the London Book Fair, this unique new fund is open to submissions from all UK-based publishers. Building on the success of English PEN’s Writers in Translation programme, it is committed to supporting works of outstanding literary merit, strong and innovative publishing projects and diverse writing from around the world.

Etxepare Basque Institute (Basque Government)

The Etxepare Basque Institute’s mission is to promote Basque language and culture around the world, including the promotion and support of translations of Basque literature into other languages and collaborations with organisations dedicated to the diffusion of Basque culture.

The EBI issues grants for the promotion of Basque literature, translation of works and travel for writers.

www.etxepareinstitutua.net

European Cultural Foundation

The European Cultural Foundation initiates and supports cultural exchange and creative expression across wider Europe. They share and connect knowledge across the European cultural sector, and campaign for the arts on all levels of political decision-making. ECF link policy and practice, to act as catalysts for artistic and cultural expression and to have a concrete impact on European cultural policies and strategies.

www.culturalfoundation.eu

European Writers – a programme of EUNIC London

European Writers is an ongoing project of EUNIC London, the network of European cultural institutes and embassies in the United Kingdom, that takes place throughout the year in London and around the country in order to promote European literature.  Throughout the year, European Writers invites authors to talk and meet audiences at major British literature festivals as well as a range of talks and events at the British Library. More information at http://europeanwriters.co.uk

 

Haus für Poesie

Since its foundation in 1991, the Haus für Poesie, formerly the Literaturwerkstatt Berlin, has been promoting and supporting all areas of literature, but especially poetry, both as the written word and in conjunction with other art forms and media. Its work has focused exclusively on poetry since 2000. It is the venue where contemporary poetry in all its diversity of forms is showcased and discussed.

The Haus für Poesie runs a number of projects, including lyrkline.org, worldwide largest multilingual database of poets, poems and poetry reading recordings, Poesiefestival Berlin and Zebra Poetry Film Festival, the largest of its kind in the world.

 

literaturwerkstatt.org/

Jan Michalski Foundation: Residencies for writers

Residencies are available for all types of writers engaged in literary creation. While the Foundation gives priority to writers and translators, it is also open to other disciplines.

The Foundation is located in an inspirational setting at the foot of the Jura Mountains in Switzerland. It will be open to writers as of March 2017 for periods of two weeks, one month, three months or six consecutive months. The Foundation will cover residents’ travel costs and will grant a monthly stipend of CHF 1200. Residents will be able to participate in cultural activities organized by the Foundation.

The application form and further information are available on the Foundation’s website.

The Jan Michalski Foundation for Writing and Literature was created in 2004 in Montricher at the foot of the Jura Mountains in Switzerland. Vera Michalski-Hoffmann opened the foundation in her husband’s memory to perpetuate their common commitment to those who devote themselves to the written word. The mission of the Jan Michalski Foundation is to foster literary creation and encourage the practice of reading through a range of initiatives and activities.

Jan Michalski Foundation

The Jan Michalski Prize for Literature is attributed each year by the Jan Michalski Foundation (based in Switzerland) to a work of world literature. An original feature of the prize is its multicultural nature. It is open to authors from the world over and is intended to contribute to their international recognition. The prize will be awarded for works of fiction or non fiction, irrespective of the language in which they are written. The winner will receive an amount of CHF 50,000, offering the possibility of greater dedication to his or her art. The authors of short-listed works will be invited for a three-month period of residence at the Maison de l’Ecriture.

The Foundation also promotes and supports literary projects, particularly through the granting of financial support. Find out more at: http://www.fondation-janmichalski.com/en/bourses/.

www.fondation-janmichalski.com/en/prix-jan-michalski/

Latvian Literature

The Latvian Literature platform was established in order to promote recognition of Latvian literature and its distribution abroad, thus ensuring international cooperation among publishers, literary agents, writers, translators, and organisations working in the fields of literature and publishing. We are here to provide you with diverse information about Latvian authors, books, our publishing industry and innovations within the industry.

The platform is a partnership of three key literary  institutions – the International Writers and Translators House, the Latvian Writers Union, and the Latvian Publishers Association. The Internaitonal Writers and Translators House provides residencies for international writers and translators of Latvian Literature.

www.literature.lv/lv/index.html